Footwear bottom and its manufacture thereof

ABSTRACT

A bottom body of a footwear object with a footwear body, comprising an outsole layer defining a bottom surface which is adapted for having direct contact with the ground and a connecting surface opposite to the bottom surface arranged for connecting to the footwear body; and a fabric unit integrally provided on the bottom surface of the outsole layer which defines a fabric portion, whereby the fabric unit is capable of providing abrasion resistance in both smooth and oil-containing ground surface. the fabric unit is made of fabric materials which is capable of providing abrasion resistance in oil-containing ground surface. comprises a plurality of fabric members spacedly provided on the bottom surface of the outsole layer forming a predetermined pattern on the bottom surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to manufacture of footwear, and more particularly to a footwear bottom and its manufacture method thereof. The footwear bottom of the present invention is capable of providing abrasion resistance in both smooth and oil-containing ground surfaces.

2. Description of Related Arts

A variety of footwear bottoms of different quality and materials are used for different types of shoes. Footwear or shoe bottom usually refers to the outsole layer which is in direct and immediate contact with the ground. Accordingly, during the manufacture of shoe bottom, the emphasis should put on the abrasion ability, level of comfort and slip resistance. However, for some kinds of shoes, the shoe bottom uses rigid materials to manufacture so as to provide sufficient rigidity to reserve the overall design and appearance of the shoe. Therefore, the slip resistance ability is greatly reduced.

On the other hand, the slip resistance is related to the shoe bottom and the abrasion resistance index of the outsole layer of the shoe bottom which is in direct contact with the ground. If the outsole layer contains water or oil contaminant, the abrasion resistance index is greatly reduced and hence a user may easily slip and fall. The user who wears shoes with rigid sole is particularly affected by the low abrasion resistance index and is more easily to slip and fall because the shoe bottom is relatively smooth and its adhesive level is low. Accordingly, when the user wears this kind of shoes, he or she is subject to have higher risk of slippery, falling or even accident.

In order to increase the abrasion ability of the shoe bottom, one of the method is to increase the important factor of abrasion resistance index through providing or carving an anti-slip pattern on the outsole of the shoe. However, even though the anti-slip pattern is sufficient to provide a better anti-slip effect, it is ineffective to provide an anti-slip effect through the anti-slip pattern when the shoe is used in an oil-containing or oil-contaminated ground surface.

Accordingly, the conventional shoe bottom has to be improved and the present invention is provided to solve the problem.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve the slip and fall problems of footwear bottom which is used in smooth or oil-containing ground surface by providing a footwear bottom which is capable of preventing the happening of the slip and fall problems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outsole with abrasion resistance for solving the slip and fall problem in smooth and/or oil-containing ground surface which comprises a fabric unit made of fabric materials serving as an excellence fabric layer to provide abrasion resistance in oil-containing ground surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacture of an outsole with abrasion resistance for solving the slip and fall problem in smooth and/or oil-containing ground surface which comprises a fabric unit made of fabric materials serving as an excellence fabric layer to provide abrasion resistance in oil-containing ground surface.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a footwear bottom comprising a bottom body which comprises: an outsole layer provided on said bottom body defining a bottom surface on one side; and a fabric unit adhere to said bottom surface of said outsole layer, wherein said bottom surface of said outsole layer is at least partially covered by said fabric unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method of manufacture of shoe sole with fabric unit which has a bottom body and comprises an outsole layer on said bottom body defining a bottom surface on one side of the outsole layer, comprising the steps of:

(1) covering a first portion of the bottom surface of the outsole layer through a covering unit and defining a fabric portion which is not covered by the covering unit;

(2) providing and spreading a TPR treating agent onto the fabric portion of the bottom surface of the outsole layer;

(3) heating and drying the bottom body in which the fabric portion with the TPR treating agent after step (2) inside an oven at a first preset temperature for a first preset time period, wherein the first preset temperature is 60-65° C. and the first preset time period is 4-20 minutes;

(4) applying a layer of adhesive to the fabric portion after step (3);

(5) heating and partially drying the bottom body after step (4) inside an oven at a second preset temperature for a second preset time period, wherein the second preset temperature is 60-65° C. and the second preset time period is 4-20 minutes;

(6) providing raw fabric materials which fulfils a preset properties requirements;

(7) evenly spraying the raw fabric materials to the bottom body such that the fabric materials is capable of adhering to the fabric portion of the bottom surface by the adhesive;

(8) removing excess fabric materials from the bottom body;

(9) heating the bottom body from step (8) with an atomizing agent in the oven at a third preset temperature for a third preset time period, wherein the third preset temperature is 60-65° C. and the third preset time period is 4-20 minutes; and

(10) removing the bottom body from the oven for packaging.

It is worth mentioning that the covering unit can be a sticker or a mold unit which is capable of covering the bottom body and providing sufficient heat resistance to the heating process in the oven.

Also, the atomizing agent contains anti-slip and non-volatile chemical solution.

The present invention is advantageous in that the fabric unit is provided on the bottom surface of the outsole layer of the bottom body to increase the abrasion resistance between the shoe bottom and the ground, thereby preventing the incidences of slipping and falling on a smooth or oil-containing surface. In addition, the present invention can be widely used while involving simple manufacturing method. The shoe bottom of the present invention is easy to use, durable and of high marketability value.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a footwear bottom according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of a footwear bottom according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a third exemplary embodiment of a footwear bottom according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a footwear bottom according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional illustration of the fourth exemplary embodiment of a footwear bottom according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graphical illustration of a method of manufacture of the footwear bottom according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Exemplary Embodiment 1

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the footwear bottom of the present invention includes a bottom body 1, wherein the bottom body 1 comprises an outsole layer 11 and a fabric unit 2 adhered to a bottom surface 111 of the outsole layer 11. The fabric unit 2 contains an additional layer of atomizing agent 21.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the footwear bottom is manufactured through a method of manufacture comprising the following steps:

Step (1): covering a first portion 1111 of the bottom surface 111 of the outsole layer 11 through a covering unit 50 and defining a fabric portion 1112 which is not covered by the covering unit 50, wherein the covering unit 50 can be a sticker or a mold unit.

Step (2): providing and spreading a TPR treating agent onto the fabric portion 1112 of the bottom surface 111 of the outsole layer 11.

TPR refers to Thermo Plastic Elastomer Thermo Plastic Rubber, where its common abbreviation is TPE or TPR. TPR has both properties of thermoplastic and rubber, and the treating agent can greatly increase the adhesive ability.

As shown in this exemplary embodiment 1, the fabric unit 2 comprises two heart-shaped units on the bottom surface 111.

Step (3): heating and drying the bottom body 1 in which the fabric portion 1112 with the TPR treating agent after step (2) inside an oven at a first preset temperature for a first preset time period, wherein the first preset temperature is 60-65° C. and the first preset time period is 4-20 minutes. According to the preferred embodiment, the preset time period can be reasonably adjusted according to the preset temperature. For example, if the preset temperature is 60° C., then the preset time period is 20 minutes. Alternately, if the preset temperature is 65° C., then the preset time period is 4 minutes.

Step (4): applying a layer of adhesive to the fabric portion 1112 after step (3). For example, the adhesive is CX-B glue which is a transparent and highly adhesive organic solvent and is environmental friendly without causing chemical pollution.

Step (5): heating and partially drying the bottom body 1 after step (4) inside an oven at a second preset temperature for a second preset time period, wherein the second preset temperature is 60-65° C. and the second preset time period is 4-20 minutes. According to the preferred embodiment, the preset time period can be reasonably adjusted according to the preset temperature. For example, if the preset temperature is 60° C., then the preset time period is 20 minutes. Alternately, if the preset temperature is 65° C., then the preset time period is 4 minutes.

Step (6): providing raw fabric materials which fulfils a preset properties requirements. Preferably, the fabric materials are selected plush materials and are selected by using a filtering machine. Preferably, the plush materials has a length of 1.5 mm.

Step (7): evenly spraying the raw fabric materials to the bottom body 1 such that the fabric materials is capable of adhering to the fabric portion 1112 of the bottom surface by the adhesive. In particular, the raw fabric materials are put inside a pressurized spraying device and are spraying onto the bottom body 1 through the pressurized spraying device.

Step (8): removing excess fabric materials from the bottom body 1. Therefore, an even layer of fabric materials are provided on a well-defined area of the bottom body 1 which is the fabric unit 2 of the present invention.

Step (9): heating the bottom body 1 from step (8) with an atomizing agent in the oven at a third preset temperature for a third preset time period, wherein the third preset temperature is 60-65° C. and the third preset time period is 4-20 minutes. According to the preferred embodiment, the preset time period can be reasonably adjusted according to the preset temperature. For example, if the preset temperature is 60° C., then the preset time period is 20 minutes. Alternately, if the preset temperature is 65° C., then the preset time period is 4 minutes. Accordingly, an additional non-slip property is provided to the fabric unit 2.

Step (10): removing the bottom body 1 from the oven which is ready for marketing and packaging.

Exemplary Embodiment 2

The exemplary embodiment 2 is the same as the exemplary embodiment 1 except that the fabric unit 2 comprises two peach-shaped units on the bottom surface 111, which is shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Exemplary Embodiment 3

The exemplary embodiment 3 is the same as the exemplary embodiment 1 except that the fabric unit 2 comprises a plurality of star units on the bottom surface 111, which is shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

It is worth mentioning that the fabric unit 2 can be of different sizes or shapes on the bottom surface 111.

Exemplary Embodiment 4

The exemplary embodiment 4 is the same as the exemplary embodiment 1 except that the fabric unit 2 comprises a plurality of strip-like units on the bottom surface 111, and the outsole layer 11 of the bottom body 1 includes an anti-slip configuration 3 which is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

In particular, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the bottom body 1 for the footwear bottom of a shoe or footwear object comprises an outsole layer 11 defining a bottom surface 111 which is adapted for having direct contact with the ground and a connecting surface 112 opposite to the bottom surface 111 arranged for connecting to other parts of the shoe object to form one single shoe object; a fabric unit 2 integrally provided on the bottom surface 111 of the outsole layer 11 defining a fabric portion 1112. The fabric unit 2 is made of fabric materials such as plush materials, nap materials or pile materials which is capable of providing abrasion ability when oil-containing materials is present. Preferably, the fabric unit 2 is treated by atomization with atomizing agent such that an anti-slip property is provided to the fabric unit 2 to enhance the abrasion ability of the fabric unit 2.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the fabric unit 2 is a fabric layer protruded from the bottom surface 111 of the outsole layer 11 and defining a thickness H. Accordingly, the fabric unit 2 is capable of increasing the abrasion resistance of the footwear bottom through providing the fabric layer having the thickness H to the bottom surface 111. Preferably, the fabric unit 2 comprises a plurality of fabric members 22 spacedly provided on the bottom surface 111 of the outsole layer 11 so as to maximize the abrasion resistance of the bottom surface 111. As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the fabric unit 2 is provided on the bottom surface 111 in a segmented manner. In other words, the fabric unit 2 comprises a plurality of fabric member 22 which are strip-like units aligned in a segmented manner on the bottom surface 111.

The outsole layer 11 further includes an anti-slip configuration 3. In particular, the outsole layer 11 has an uneven bottom surface 111 as the anti-slip configuration 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the uneven bottom surface 111 are defined through a plurality of protruded portions 31 and indented portions 32 which are evenly and alternately distributed in the bottom surface 111 for maximizing the abrasion resistance of the outsole layer 11.

It is worth mentioning that the uneven bottom surface 111 may form different patterns through different alignment of the protruded portions 31 and indented portions 32 according to different design requirements.

Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, a method of manufacture of bottom body of a shoe object comprises the steps of:

(a) providing a outsole layer 11 having a bottom surface 111 arranged for having direct contact with the ground and a connecting surface 112 arranged for connecting to other parts of the shoe object;

(b) covering a first portion 1111 of the bottom surface 111 of the outsole layer 11 through a covering unit 50 and defining a fabric portion 1112 which is not covered by the covering unit 50; and

(c) adhering fabric materials to the fabric portion 1112 such that the fabric materials are firmly bonded onto the fabric portion 1112 of the bottom surface 111 such that a fabric unit 2 having a predetermined pattern is integrally formed on the bottom surface 111.

Preferably, after step (c), the method further comprises the step of:

(d) treating the fabric unit 2 with anti-slip agent such that an anti-slip property is provided to the fabric unit 2.

In addition, the fabric portion 1112 may be a plurality of preset area on the bottom surface 111 which are corresponded to the positions of the plurality of fabric members 22 of the fabric unit 2.

The method may further comprises the step of:

(a.1) attributing an anti-slip configuration 3 to the bottom surface 111.

Preferably, the anti-slip configuration 3 is formed by the bottom surface 111 in which a plurality of protruded portions 31 and indented portions 32 which are evenly and alternately distributed in the bottom surface 111 are provided for maximizing the abrasion resistance of the outsole layer 11.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. A footwear bottom, comprising a bottom body which comprises: an outsole layer provided on said bottom body defining a bottom surface on one side; and a fabric unit adhere to said bottom surface of said outsole layer.
 2. The footwear bottom, as recited in claim 1, wherein said bottom surface of said outsole layer is at least partially covered by said fabric unit.
 3. A method of manufacture of shoe sole with fabric unit which has a bottom body and comprises an outsole layer on said bottom body defining a bottom surface on one side of the outsole layer, comprising the steps of: step 1: covering a first portion of the bottom surface of the outsole layer through a covering unit and defining a fabric portion which is not covered by the covering unit; step 2: providing and spreading a TPR treating agent onto the fabric portion of the bottom surface of the outsole layer; step 3: heating and drying the bottom body in which the fabric portion with the TPR treating agent after step (b) inside an oven at a first preset temperature for a first preset time period, wherein the first preset temperature is 60-65° C. and the first preset time period is 4-20 minutes; step 4: applying a layer of adhesive to the fabric portion after step (c); step 5: heating and partially drying the bottom body after step (d) inside an oven at a second preset temperature for a second preset time period, wherein the second preset temperature is 60-65° C. and the second preset time period is 4-20 minutes; step 6: providing raw fabric materials which fulfils a preset properties requirements; step 7: evenly spraying the raw fabric materials to the bottom body such that the fabric materials is capable of adhering to the fabric portion of the bottom surface by the adhesive; step 8: removing excess fabric materials from the bottom body; step 9: heating the bottom body from step 8 with an atomizing agent in the oven at a third preset temperature for a third preset time period, wherein the third preset temperature is 60-65° C. and the third preset time period is 4-20 minutes; and step 10: removing the bottom body from the oven for packaging.
 4. The method, as recited in claim 3, wherein the covering unit is a sticker or a mold unit.
 5. A bottom body of a footwear object which comprises a footwear body, comprising: an outsole layer defining a bottom surface which is adapted for having direct contact with the ground and a connecting surface opposite to said bottom surface arranged for connecting to the footwear body; and a fabric unit integrally provided on said bottom surface of said outsole layer which defines a fabric portion, whereby said fabric unit is capable of providing abrasion resistance in both smooth and oil-containing ground surface.
 6. The bottom body, as recited in claim 5, wherein said fabric unit is made of fabric materials which is capable of providing abrasion resistance in oil-containing ground surface.
 7. The bottom body, as recited in claim 5, wherein said fabric unit comprises a plurality of fabric members spacedly provided on said bottom surface of said outsole layer forming a predetermined pattern on said bottom surface.
 8. The bottom body, as recited in claim 6, wherein said fabric unit comprises a plurality of fabric members spacedly provided on said bottom surface of said outsole layer forming a predetermined pattern on said bottom surface.
 9. The bottom body, as recited in claim 5, wherein said fabric unit has an anti-slip layer formed through treating said fabric unit with anti-slip property through atomizing agent.
 10. The bottom body, as recited in claim 6, wherein said fabric unit has an anti-slip layer formed through treating said fabric unit with anti-slip property through atomizing agent.
 11. The bottom body, as recited in claim 7, wherein said fabric unit has an anti-slip layer formed through treating said fabric unit with anti-slip property through atomizing agent.
 12. The bottom body, as recited in claim 5, wherein said bottom surface is an uneven surface defining an anti-slip configuration having a plurality of protruded portions and indented portions which are evenly and alternately distributed in said bottom surface for increasing the abrasion resistance of said outsole layer.
 13. The bottom body, as recited in claim 8, wherein said bottom surface is an uneven surface defining an anti-slip configuration having a plurality of protruded portions and indented portions which are evenly and alternately distributed in said bottom surface for increasing the abrasion resistance of said outsole layer.
 14. The bottom body, as recited in claim 11, wherein said bottom surface is an uneven surface defining an anti-slip configuration having a plurality of protruded portions and indented portions which are evenly and alternately distributed in said bottom surface for increasing the abrasion resistance of said outsole layer.
 15. The bottom body, as recited in claim 6, wherein said bottom body is prepared through a method of manufacture comprising the steps of: (a) providing a raw material of the outsole layer having the bottom surface arranged for having direct contact with the ground and the connecting surface arranged for connecting to the footwear body of the footwear object; (b) covering a first portion of the bottom surface of the outsole layer through a covering unit and defining a fabric portion which is uncovered by the covering unit; and (c) adhering fabric materials to the fabric portion such that the fabric materials are firmly bonded onto the fabric portion of the bottom surface such that said fabric unit having a predetermined pattern is integrally formed on the bottom surface.
 16. The bottom body, as recited in claim 11, wherein said bottom body is prepared through a method of manufacture comprising the steps of: (a) providing a raw material of the outsole layer having the bottom surface arranged for having direct contact with the ground and the connecting surface arranged for connecting to the footwear body of the footwear object; (b) covering a first portion of the bottom surface of the outsole layer through a covering unit and defining a fabric portion which is uncovered by the covering unit; and (c) adhering fabric materials to the fabric portion such that the fabric materials are firmly bonded onto the fabric portion of the bottom surface such that said fabric unit having a predetermined pattern is integrally formed on the bottom surface.
 17. The bottom body, as recited in claim 12, wherein said bottom body is prepared through a method of manufacture comprising the steps of: (a) providing a raw material of the outsole layer having the bottom surface arranged for having direct contact with the ground and the connecting surface arranged for connecting to the footwear body of the footwear object; (b) covering a first portion of the bottom surface of the outsole layer through a covering unit and defining a fabric portion which is uncovered by the covering unit; and (c) adhering fabric materials to the fabric portion such that the fabric materials are firmly bonded onto the fabric portion of the bottom surface such that said fabric unit having a predetermined pattern is integrally formed on the bottom surface.
 18. The bottom body, as recited in claim 15, wherein the method of manufacture further comprises the steps of: (d) treating the fabric unit after step (c) with anti-slip agent such that an anti-slip property is provided to the fabric unit.
 19. The bottom body, as recited in claim 17, wherein the method of manufacture further comprises the steps of: (d) treating the fabric unit after step (c) with anti-slip agent such that an anti-slip property is provided to the fabric unit.
 20. The bottom body, as recited in claim 19, wherein after step (a), the method of manufacture further comprises the steps of: (a.1) attributing an anti-slip configuration 3 to the bottom surface
 111. 